Behind seven innings of one-run ball by Tommy Hanson, the Braves took the opening game of the series over the Giants by the score of 4-1.
Hanson pitched six shutout innings before giving up a run in the seventh. He gave up two singles, one double, one run, one walk and struck out seven. Hanson induced an equal amount of groundouts and flyouts.
The fastball command was on point for Hanson, consistently hitting the outer half and rarely leaving one over the middle or up. Perhaps the one clear mistake that actually cost him was the fastball left up to Pablo Sandoval in the seventh, which he belted in the gap for a double and set up the Giants' only run. The slider was sharper as the outing went on, as was the command. The curveball was very impressive.
The Braves scored all four of their runs in the third inning. Walks by Nate McLouth and Martin Prado set up a RBI single by Jason Heyward, which was followed by a two-run double by Chipper Jones. An error by Miguel Tejada kept the inning alive with two outs, and that was followed by a RBI single by Freddie Freeman for a four-run inning.
Heyward broke through with a 2-4, one RBI day. Chipper added two RBIs on his one hit, a double. Freeman continued his hot hitting with two hits and one RBI. Prado reached base twice on a single and walk.
Giants starter Madison Bumgarner was pulled after 2.2 innings, allowing four runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts. His command was off, constantly leaving pitches over the plate, and he left at 67 pitches. Another rough outing for the young left-hander.
Behind Hanson, Jonny Venters made his first appearance since being diagnosed with arm soreness, and he pitched a perfect eighth, including a strikeout on a filthy sinker. Craig Kimbrel bounced back from his blown save with a scoreless ninth.
For more on the series, Braves fans check out Talking Chop and Giants fans check out McCovey Chronicles.